City duo to join thousands taking on Cape Town Cycle Tour
08 October 2021
After being cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19, the City of Cape Town-sponsored Cape Town Cycle Tour returns this weekend for its 43rd edition. Some City officials will also be getting on their bikes for the 2021 edition.
Alderman Eddie Andrews and the City’s Executive Director Finance Kevin Jacoby will be among thousands of cyclists who will be taking part in the 109km race event on Sunday, 10 October 2021.
Alderman Andrews is cycling with his son to raise funds for the Hillsong Foundation, which provides food relief to communities in Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein and Lavender Hill.
This is Alderman Andrews’s second Cycle Tour having previously taken part in the 2019 edition.
‘Having events in the City of Cape Town, we are exposed to beautiful pockets of our city. There are four major climbs on the Cycle Tour, including Wynberg Hill, Smitswinkel and Chapman’s Peak. They are all stunning and to pass through communities like Ocean View, Masiphumelele and the Camp’s Bay strip is just amazing.’
Jacoby, the City’s chief finance officer, is going for his fourth Cycle Tour finish this Sunday.
‘The Tour is essentially a city tour, apart from us sponsoring the event as the City, the link to charities is appealing as it is a way of supporting the needy. Lastly, we have been cramped up from events in the past that it will be great to be out there reflecting on healthy fit lives, while also admiring our environment,’ said Jacoby.
Jacoby added that he is looking forward to the feeling of being nervous about his performance time, the smell of tyres, greases and lubes, the shaved legs and the pure beauty of riding this route that showcases the city.
This is the 43rd edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour in Cape Town and the first ever to be held without spectators due to national Covid-19 regulations.
Following representations with the Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, the race event has been allowed to accommodate 18 000 cyclists for this coming Sunday.
As part of this year’s stricter health protocols, there will be staggered rolling starts over a couple of hours to ensure better physical distancing between cyclists.
‘The last year has been a challenging year for all, including the sports, events and tourism industries as the pandemic has affected these sectors across the globe. We are thrilled that one of Cape Town’s signature events is returning after more than a year of absence. The City views the Cycle Tour as one of the key events that could go a long way in being a catalyst in the long-term recovery of the events sectors,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.
‘Our officials have put in every effort over the last few months working with the Cycle Tour on route plans, logistics and safety plans to ensure that we deliver a safe, successful and entertaining event.’
The world's largest timed cycle race kicks off at 06:00 on Sunday morning when the first batch of riders set off towards Simon’s Town.
Motorists are advised to take note of the temporary road closures that will be in place over the weekend and to plan their trips accordingly.
The complete list of road closures is available here: https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre%20Assets/CTCT-Road-Closures-2021.pdf
Please note that some MyCiTi services will be affected by road closures on Saturday, 9 October March and Sunday, 10 October March. Please click here for more information.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
